I was giddy with all the comments on the last chapter. I forced myself to hit the submit button. I do have several drafts of that chapter in a completely different direction… but oh the possibilities with how it turned out!
The anxious need for the next installment is felt, and it humbles me. SO I rapidly got this chapter typed and edited in two days!
I'm honored and excited to see the comments on this bad boy of a chapter. *slaps the screen as if I'm a used car salesman*
Наслаждаться! (Naslazhdat'sya! - Enjoy!)
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Anton paced uneasily on the cracked sidewalk, brain spinning, and scenarios playing out with so many outcomes. He turned back toward the unit, eyes lazily watching Sergei and Ivo load suitcases and gun cases in the trunk of their rental car. Just what was he supposed to think and feel now? It almost felt like a betrayal to him!
His hand that was shoved into his dress slack pocket furiously gripped his cell phone. 'What fucking update do I send Georgi?!'
He was tasked with sending Georgi locations, times, and what was going on within their group. It was important for all of the captains to be aware and up to date with every move they made. Kenny was a tricky person to keep under their watchful eyes, and it led to them creating their own shorthand texts to one another. That way they could get all the information on their small screen and not have to scroll through a large message.
Quick, effective, and immediate response. That was their mission when it came to Pakhan.
With all of Kenny's women on the side- it was laborious to say the least. That's why when Niko said he was a one-woman man they could breathe easier and shorten their times on security measures. No more scouting a hotel room, or apartment, or an alley to make sure there were no hidden cameras, bugs, enemies close by. No more figuring out which woman he was going to see- and they all varied on time spent with one another.
Anton shuddered as he came to a stop a few doors down from the unit Niko and Karen were still in. The fighting noises and moans were enough to get him pacing away. Sergei motioned to him about time in their made-up sign language. All Anton could do was shrug and pray that the fighting couple would settle their differences rapidly.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he could swear it was going to be the 'report in' from his boss Georgi. He let out a long breath and relented to pulling his cell phone out to see what was going on. 'Please Kate… Stay asleep and be resting for just a little longer…'
'Your son will need you upon return.
Высочество (Vysochestvo) is still out.
Nothing on the security cams.
ETA on mission?
-G'
Anton slouched down and closed his eyes. Should he tell Georgi what he witnessed? Or keep it to himself till he could talk it over with Pakhan? The pendulum swung back and forth in his mind. It would be good to let Georgi know everything as he would be spending more time with Kate this week getting her dress and leading the spa security. But then he knew Kate could read Georgi good enough to tell if something was bothering him.
He slowly walked up to the rental car that Sergei and Ivo were wiping down to remove any fingerprints. They paused their work and turned toward him to see if he had any further tasks to complete. Anton looked up from the message Georgi sent and gestured with his phone to let them know he received an update from the compound.
They all jumped with the sound of a loud bang within the unit and grabbed their weapons and trained them on the door. If Karen emerged and Niko was not within sight, they would shoot her on the spot. Time seemed to drag on, them holding their breaths and adjusting their rifles and handguns, then they heard both of them talking rather loudly. A collective sigh of relief from all three of them caused a couple of chuckles.
"They fucking or fighting?" Sergei directed his question toward his boss as he lowered his assault rifle into a relaxed position. He honestly didn't care what they were doing within the unit. The way his boss answered his question would let him know that they were either going to have to snap back into Kenny mode with side women, or ready a ditch for a body.
Ivo let out a shaky laugh as he closed the lid to the trunk, "Does it really matter? Not like we haven't done this song and dance before. Right boss?" He turned to lean against the back of the car and await instructions. His eyes darted to the closed door when another loud bang rattled it… And rolled his eyes back to his boss when the neighbors shouted out to quiet down, "My best guess is fighting to the bitter end. One victor."
"Don't be ridiculous. That's angry fight sex. And you know it! Been about a year since we've heard those noises coming from a room Pakhan was in." Sergei shrugged and turned fully toward Anton, lounging back against the driver side of the car. His eyes carefully traced over Anton's face to see his tells on what was really going on.
"It is none of our business. Finish up cleaning the car's exterior and stick with the order given to you by our leader." Anton kept his face frozen. Last thing he really needed was for the rumor to spread like wildfire throughout the compound and making Kate feel like she was missing out on something, "What happens here stays here. This is the highest importance. Do. You. Understand?"
Ivo and Sergei shared a glance before saluting Anton. They wouldn't say a word about this situation to anyone. Not even their go to person when they needed to talk through things going on in their lives. It would stay here in Sandy Shores amongst the sand and dust. A fitting place for something to die and never be brought up again.
"Good. What was Aleksei's ETA on checking the surroundings?" Anton sighed from his place against the car and tucked his phone away. There wasn't anything in Georgi's text that needed to be shared with the group. Plus he was still trying to come up with a way to hint at dangerous fields and warning signals to Georgi without him having a full-blown meltdown. A thin thread of worry for his son coiled within his brain. He said a silent prayer for his family and that they would all be okay once he got home.
"He said fifteen minutes. Hasn't been gone long. I got him on channel four." Sergei tapped the side of head indicating the comm link he was using to listen to anything Aleksei told him. So far it had been relatively silent. The occasional remark about people moving around and getting in their vehicles to head off.
Anton grunted and held his hand out to Sergei to get his communication device. If they were going to go into today as if they expected a giant fight and escape for their lives- he would be sure to fall into mission mode and treat everything as a possible threat. He tucked the battery and control box into his waistband, clicked the power button and dialed to channel four, then pulled the earpiece and wire under his shirt to place the earbud snugly within his ear.
"Alek. Status?" Anton pressed the device in his ear and looked over Sergei and Ivo to be sure they had their weapons, vests, and extra ammo in the correct places and positions. This was a high-level target and mission. Too many unknowns on who had killed their top-notch security team to capture Kenny and then steal his plane. He would use the upmost awareness when accompanying Niko to the saloon they had all agreed on and marked as target A.
"Normal expectations. No armed enemies in sight. Return to orders?" Aleksei's voice came through the crackling signal in a hushed tone. Clearly he was scouting the area and assessing the safest route to take when going into town and driving off to the airstrip he could just barely make out in the distance with his scope.
"Finish overlook. Then return to orders. Over and out." Anton nodded at how well Aleksei and he worked when it came to locking down territory. He could move with Niko a little easier now knowing that their route was mostly cleared and checked out. His eyes shot to the door next to their unit when he could make out some rather colorful comments about the two people shouting and slamming things around.
"So…? Back to our original question eh Anton?" Sergei cracked a smirk when Ivo joined him on the side of the car and nudged his arm with his elbow. He was slowly opening up more and felt relaxed around his higher ups. The need to stay away from earshot and sight faded the longer he was included on jobs and community time with them and Kate.
A gunshot reverberated loudly, and they scurried into position to follow Anton's lead. Ivo dropped to a knee and positioned himself at the edge of the car for coverage. Sergei stood behind Ivo and ducked slightly to allow the car to take any bullets headed his way first. Anton took a couple of hurried steps to the door and pressed his back against the stucco covered building. His arm raised to be in headshot level and fixated his pistol to be able to take out Karen.
There was no exit mark on the outside walls that faced the readied team, and Anton looked to his two fellow men for direction on what they saw. At their negative shorthand sign language he relaxed his shoulder a touch. Once again his emotions and thoughts tried to overtake him, and he forced himself to focus on what was happening around him.
As the minutes trudged on they started to think someone really was dead in the unit. The silence was unbearable. Was their boss alive and well? Did Karen kill him, and they would be determined to enact revenge? Swift exchanges in coded signals prepared them for any outcome. But they all agreed Karen would be killed by their hands if she emerged from the motel room.
Anton scooted closer to the door and firmed his arm and grip on his pistol. He strained his ears to pick up on moans of pain, voices, anything! His heart was pounding away in his ribcage the longer he waited outside. His boss needed protection! How foolish it was to leave them both alone to fight it out!
His breath hitched as the knob agonizingly turned to the open position. It was now or never.
Ivo and Sergei hedged closer around the vehicle to have an unobstructed view. Not a shiver or quake deterred their weapons. Never had they believed Karen was that big of a threat to their boss, and the failure of not realizing her abilities was weighing them down.
'Aleksei was correct. She is too much of a wildcard. He could see beyond the surface level, and I could not. Great. Fucking fantastic. Now I get to deliver the news to Georgi that someone is dead." Anton scowled at his thoughts. He had sent death updates before no problem. It was part of the job. So why was this trying to dig a huge hole to his emotions and mind?
The door soundlessly opened. Sergei and Ivo snapped their weapons to their target, fingers sliding over the triggers. Sergei jerked his head forward to let Anton know who was emerging. He had just milliseconds to alert his closer captain. Anger surged through him for just a second before being tucked away behind his stone walls. This was a time to be clear headed and alert. A bloodbath was about to start.
"How easy was it to shoot Derrick on Francis' orders?" Karen's voice coldly floated out into the open morning air and slapped the men in the face.
'Holy. Shit. Now what do I do?!' Anton felt his arm lower slightly as the words sunk into his body. 'Niko… Niko killed Kate's brother on the order of her other one?!'
With Anton's movement, Sergei and Ivo followed suit and lowered their rifles. The news of Niko being the one to take out Derrick was new to them. Hadn't it been Derman that Niko killed on Kenny's agreement? Sergei nudged Ivo in the back with his shin. It was a silent question asking if he was aware of this. Ivo jutted his right elbow out from his firing position and then went back to being ready to snap his weapon up and fire. It was his answer no and to stay ready.
Sergei and Ivo's air was yanked from their lungs at her more formal salute they used within the Bratva. It basically was their way of surrendering their lives to the will of the one in charge. There was no breaking that swearing in. Once you gave that to Pakhan, your life was then in their hands. No questions asked.
They instantly dropped their rifles to hang around their body and stood up, mimicking the salute, heads bowed, and whispered the required words of initiation. Karen was not to be killed by their weapons unless directly ordered to by Pakhan. It was treasonous to threaten or kill anyone who has not broken their sacred rules. Ivo waved Anton off frantically. Last thing he wanted was for Anton to be marked as a defector the second Karen swore her life to Niko.
Anton eyes widened at the swearing in salute Sergei and Ivo were doing in the direction of the opened door. His pistol lowered and was tucked back into his holster. He couldn't believe it. No thought led to her being fully within the ranks of the Bratva. None. Nada. ничто (nichto, nothing)… She is IAA! That organization was most definitely not allowed to be welcomed to their inner workings.
'What if she is a rat?! But to whose side…?'
"Goodbye Niko Bellic…" Karen's voice shook horribly as her form exited the motel room; door swinging shut behind her. A few tears tumbled down her cheeks. The shirt that was haphazardly clinging to her was wrinkled beyond a simple ironing. Blood stained down the front where it gaped open with the missing buttons. New fresh blood continuously rolled out of a clean cut on her throat.
"What do you need?" Anton kept his voice level and stern. He still wasn't sure what was going on and where he needed to place his allegiance.
Karen flinched at how close the voice was and turned in his direction. Her eyes blinked away tears that were building up and glossing over the bright, sadden blue of her irises. Just the sight of Anton, Sergei, and Ivo armed and sending her unfazed looks wanted to break her slowly building walls within. She winced when she swallowed the built-up saliva, "I require no assistance. Should he give the death sentence, please be merciful. Goodbye."
Anton's mouth dropped open at her words and was completely astonished as she turned on her bare heels and walked off toward the bark deprived dying trees. 'What the fuck is going on?!'
Three sets of eyes watched as she disappeared from view utterly floored.
"Anton…? Um. What?" Sergei managed to collect himself enough to ask his boss a broken question. He had absolutely no clue what to do. Should they warn Aleksei to track her as they waited for Niko to leave the unit? Or tell him not to bother her? Was she marked for death by their boss?!
"This is such a fucked-up mess. Just- stick with our changed plans and wait for Aleksei to return. Head to the air strip like Pakhan ordered. Prep the plane. I want everything loaded, secured, and a perimeter cleared for our arrival. We leave as soon as the door is closed and locked in place. Confirmed?" Anton wiped a hand over his face and dropped his head back into the outer wall of the motel. What was he supposed to do? Everything was so up in the air that he wished he had taken Georgi's place at the compound. 'Let the true second handle all this baggage and crap…'
"Confirmed boss. Car is loaded and we are waiting to add Pakhan's luggage and give him his vest. Anything else?" Sergei nodded his head toward Anton and waved to Ivo to get in the car. The unheard message Anton gave them was to keep quiet and rely on their ability to follow orders through. Not to question anything. That much he comprehended.
"Give me the vest. I'll make sure he wears it. Wheels off as soon as Aleksei is in the car." Anton let the air rush from his lungs in a much-needed exhale. 'Orders. Stick with the orders. He moves, you shadow. Simple. Kill anything that is a threat or in the way. All I have to do is keep him alive during the confrontation and get on the plane in one piece. Keep it simple Anton. Might as well tell Aleksei of the newly added member and for him to just head back. Do not want to have Niko loitering around in the open too much. Quiet now Anton, you got this…'
He left Sergei and Ivo to go about their jobs and lifted a heavy arm up to be able to inform Aleksei. Letting his eyes shut as he pressed the talk button, "Alek. No kill. She is part Bratva. Copy? Over."
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"Copy. Eyes on lock. Engage or return? Over." Aleksei whispered so quietly as to not give away his position of stalking Karen through the naked trees. He lowered into a squat, resting one knee on the dusty ground, rifle aimed at her back, and trailed her movements through the scope. Her fiery cursing alerted him of someone closing in on his sniper's nest. The urging to go to her was ignored for as long as he could hold out before curiosity got the best of him.
"Leave target… Resume orders. Confirm? Over." Aleksei heard the exasperated sigh and reluctance in Anton's voice. He tilted his head slightly to be away from the scope as the barrel lowered to rest on the ground. His mouth twitched as he carefully collected his answer to his equal.
"Nest will be emptied. Over and out." Aleksei quietly answered Anton and twisted the volume dial to zero. He couldn't shut it off completely as they would be alerted to him going rouge. A burning itch licked up his spine. It wasn't like him to ever deviate from a direct order. Ever.
He tucked his sniper to his back and secured it in place, leaving room to be able to use his shorter rifle on his side. With trained fingers he unsnapped the leather band to his pistol. His piercing eyes continued to take her in and her surroundings. She was clearly headed to the slope that gave way to a paved road.
On silent feet he zigzagged his way toward Karen's retreating back. His breathing was low and even. Heartrate steady. He had picked up some of what was being said over the comms. Anton had a sneaky habit of opening his earpiece to let ambient noise through. Her resigned voice had clearly stated that if a death sentence was issued to be merciful. Which he was not. Defectors, betrayals, runaways, and especially rats were to be exterminated in the worst fashion. Kenny had instilled that in him.
And he wasn't about to let the possibility of a future enemy slip through his fingers.
Not after what Niko had tasked only him with.
With a burdening weight in his chest he rounded off his path to be able to jump her from the side. It would be the easiest way to disarm her and pin her. He creeped, ducked, and camouflaged himself as best he could with the surrounding foliage. Or lack thereof. He crouched behind a thicker tree and counted her steps to where and when she would be in his attack range.
'Death sentences are given to those who have been marked by Pakhan… Just what did you do to get labeled?' Aleksei slowed his nerves and let the familiar shrug of death to drape over his shoulders and arms. The thrill of getting to hack away flesh, break bones, tear nails free- it created a metallic taste to envelope his mouth and throat. He pulled his hidden blade free and flipped it to get the best striking grip.
'Just a few more steps… Come on Karen. Show me what you got…!'
Confusion clouded his mind when she stumbled over an easily avoidable root. Her leg gave out and she fell down on her backside, hard. Duffle bag dropping close by, halfway zipped up. A hand that should have caught her fall was firmly wrapped around her neck. A whimper and sob reached his ears and coaxed his brain to lessen the killer and bring out the caring side buried deep within to the surface.
Karen flopped downwards to her back and gave up. Tears rolling down the side of her face to drop into water starved dirt. Her chest shook with each broken sob and air that rapidly came and went in an attempt to calm her erratic spasms in her ribcage. It was useless. The safe house was at least two or three miles away on foot. What was the point anyway? The IAA didn't care what happened to her or what she was dealing with.
Niko had burned their bridge down and the charred pieces fell away into an angry ocean to be carried far, far away.
Another sob forced its way free from her chapped lips. Her vision was beginning to tunnel. Her body just couldn't do it anymore. Her heart was hemorrhaging in her chest from the absolution Niko had given her. They were no more. She would never be allowed to stand at his side and smile up into hazel eyes filled with laughter.
"Fuck. Get a fucking grip!" Karen swore in Russian as she listlessly watched the clouds drift in the orange and red of sunrise.
"I can help you." Aleksei spoke from his place by her toes. Arms crossed, and that damn cute tilt of his head that told the world he was waiting for what happened next. The innocent front he let everyone see and take for granted. For what lied just below it was dark evil licking its chops to be set free.
A scream tore from her aching throat and immediately ceased as the pain stabbed her everywhere. Frightened wild eyes locked in on the form in front of her, and she scrambled and painfully scooted back to create space between them, tugging the duffle with her, other hand still holding position over her cut. With what was left of the fight recoiling to the depths of her soul, she pulled her pistol free and shakily pointed it to the person who had snuck up on her.
Aleksei rolled his eyes, tucked away his knife, and took the two steps toward her; eliminating the space between them, and lowered to rest on his calves, but left the required distance to keep the barrel from dragging dirt and clogging it. He blankly stared at the gun pointed his way, "I mean you no harm Karen. Lower your weapon."
Smooth, delicious words ignited the flames again and built up her strength to rest against the trunk of the tree she had backed in to. The pistol thudded when it hit the dust. If he was going to kill her he would've done it without her knowledge. Her life gone between one step and the next. Her lifeless body crumpling to the ground. His eyes bored into her own tired ones and studied her with an intoxicating concentration.
Aleksei assessed her condition. Torn shirt- 'Wait! That was mine!'
It hung loosely over her curves, one of the shoulders had exposed her skin and he darted his eyes up to her face when he noticed how the thin fabric left nothing to the imagination. He filed away the bite marks and what looked like hickeys he had spotted that littered the fairest of flesh. His mouth watered some as the vision of being the one to leave such passionate marks on her body gently eased through his clouding thoughts.
The haze vanished when he looked back down to the blood trails. Her hand shook violently over the column of her throat where beads of her warm blood squeezed free. Without missing a beat he undid the thick velcro straps on his side to remove his bullet proof vest. Sniper, assault rifle, handgun all were placed neatly and within reach. He unzipped one of the bigger pockets on the front of the vest and he started thumbing through his small field first aid supply to get the right gauze roll.
Karen wasn't sure if she should be in fear for her life or glad to see him in front of her. Too fatigued was her mind to make that decision. Her head lulled back into the bark-less tree and felt the soreness from her arm that had kept her hand in place for so long. With rapid blinks of her eyes to rid them of the nonstop tears, she plopped her hand to the top of her thigh. The breeze created a whole new level of pain against her open wound.
Her whimper trembled her lips as she shivered in pain from head to lovely painted toes.
"How bad? Is it deep enough for stitches?" He glanced up to her perfectly horizontal slice. He immediately knew Niko had been the one to cut her. The skill required to do a shallow looking slice like that only came from those who trained daily for perfection in their fighting skills. Anton didn't fare well with close fighting with a blade. And he was still training Sergei and Ivo how to hit their targets when knife throwing.
At her noncommittal response he straddled one of her legs, holding his weight off of it, and began to poke and prod at the wound. Gentle, soft touches. Nothing to create more harm. His face lessened in intensity to fall back into his normal indifferent look. He pinched one of the ends closed and lowered his head to get a better look. 'Doesn't look as bad as it does. Head and neck injuries do tend to bleed more than anywhere else on the body…'
"Aleksei. Stop. I'm-I'm good. Get back to Niko…" Karen held back the sounds of pain and allowed him to continue to care for her, "I think you all use the term excommunicated. I can't be around Niko anymore." A large tear broke free when she closed her eyes. Everything just flat out hurt. Body, mind, heart, and soul. It was excruciating to say the least. Somehow she managed to cage her whimper in her chest at the gentle nature Aleksei showed her. The brashness and hardened exterior reminded her of Gerry. Her Gerry. The tough as nails man that didn't give up anything and held firm to his lines. But underneath it all he was just a scared child who feared being left alone in his room.
Aleksei paused his assessment and rendering first aid of her cut and looked back to her tear-stained face, "So… I should leave and keep my distance?" His eyes flicked around doing a sweep of their immediate area. He couldn't be one hundred percent sure they were completely alone. Anton could just as easily get within earshot. A tiny tendril of fear gripped his heart with knowing what excommunicated meant to Kenny. And it seemed like Niko reached Kenny's level of ruthlessness and then exceeded it. He reached out to get his rifle to a more accessible position.
"I really just don't give a shit anymore. Kill me or let me go. What is my life even worth anymore?" She dropped her head back down to rest against his kind hand that was pressing a clean gauze strip on her bleeding cut. The solid oak tree that was withering away from the harsh environment creaked and groaned against the wind. Wind that carried the salty taste of the warm ocean to her. Her mind was going a million miles a second and there was no brake to press on to get it to stop- or at least slow down. Just what was she thinking in giving in to her carnal need to have Niko love her body? She knew better than that. Had it drilled into her skull that she was never meant to be with Niko.
"Do not give me those choices. I will be unable to enact on either one." He had seen her true loyalty scarred into her flesh. What all she had given and used to protect Niko and the ones within his boss' circle. She had nearly died from her injuries during the attack on the Church. Used her body as a shield on an unconscious Niko. No. He was correct in knowing she was deep down devoted to their cause and Pakhan. At her dry laugh he met her exhausted eyes, "You believe I should kill you here and now?"
'This is not happening. What the hell went on when I left the room?!'
The level of understanding and will to do as she asked reflected back and forth between his breath-taking irises. The sun had just crested the horizon casting everything in a vibrant orange and red- the dark blanket of night fighting to stay in control just a little longer. There were deep shadows shot across the landscape, one just happened to shield her body from the pain that waited in the daylight. But in the innermost personal space of the assassin before her? She latched on to what fledging life she still carried.
"Kil-Kill me. Here. Before the sun wipes the last attachments I gave to the Bratva away. My sworn oath to protect Niko from all enemies. Foreign or… domestic." Karen grabbed the wrist of his free hand and shoved it under her shirt and over the burning tattoo. She held it with all of her remaining strength. Her eyes grew fearful and scared. Someone needed to know the truth that could hide it perfectly.
"I'm not going to do that. I can't." Aleksei stilled his movements at the feel of raised skin in lettering he thought he could read. His hand pressed up into hers so he could move on his own. She gave in to his request easily, but still held on to his upper arm. He closed his eyes and leaned forward to rest against her forehead, "You are loyal. I see it."
"You won't…" She barely audibly spoke in the warm air hovering in the smallest of spaces between them, "Alek… You know the punishment for interacting with me. Don't risk your life just for me. Think clearly." She raised her voice to the level they had been interacting with, and when his startled eyes rose to meet hers, tilting their faces closer, she lifted a hand and brushed her fingertips over his earpiece. Her chin rubbed against his prickly five o'clock shadow as she turned to show she had her own listening device in her ear.
He released the gauze and gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his hardening glare, "Just wha-"
"Channel four?" She mouthed the words more than spoke them within his harsh hold. New, hot tears for something other than her loss of Niko burned as they slid down her face to wet the side of his hand. The hand not holding his arm reached out and turned the dial to full volume and shifted the button to talk.
She felt the nod against her face as he leaned forward to press his cheek to hers. He was starting to understand her want to have his fellow men listen in. It would be his proof and cover should Niko feel otherwise to her death. He didn't want to kill her. He only wished to bandage her wound and give her a way to escape. It may lead to his own death, but he would feel good about sparing her.
He rubbed his fingers over and over the tattoo in an attempt to give her comfort. He realized deep down he would need to be the one to finish her off. Niko wouldn't be able to- by evidence of her still being alive, although beat up and wounded.
"Alek come on. Don't make the mistake. She is Bratva now." Anton's stressed and low voice crackled over their earpieces, and they looked up to one another, noses brushing lightly.
"You are family. Welcome." Aleksei spoke with a tiny crack in his usually frozen, emotionless tone. He started to pull away to get back to bandaging her wound when she tugged urgently on his arm that still had his hand under her shirt, tickling the underside of her breast. Extremely scared eyes met his and pleaded to him. What the plea was for he didn't know, but she seemed persistent that he feel this one place on her body.
He huffed softly and placed his forehead to the exposed shoulder, ignoring the thought to start kissing it and leaving his own marks behind. Once more he closed his eyes and put all his attention and focus on the raised parts of her skin. He had been taught to read with his hands in the event he was in pitch darkness and needed to feel his way out. It had been handy a few times… His forehead creased as his face scrunched up at determining the first letter.
С...н… и… т… ч…
Снитч (snitch).
'C…, H… и… Oh God Karen… Just what have you gotten yourself in to…?' Aleksei turned his face into the junction of her neck and shoulder. He knew that word. It was usually branded over people's hearts when discovered. A weak pulse thumped up his spine as he knew what came next after the branding ceremony…
As he went to slip his hand out from under his ruined dress shirt another raised section grabbed his attention. It was definitely a burn. The tips of his fingers traced out the circle. His insides dropped. She was a threat to the Bratva. Not only a snitch for whoever marked her so… but God. He thumbed over the circle and pressed his face firmly into her. Weak arms held him closely, strands of hair wafted over his head to become trapped in his own strands, droplets of tears trailed down his scruffy cheek from her.
Долг. Долг. Долг. He knew the word well. She was in debt to a rival Russian mob. He dragged his nose up the side of her neck and kissed her temple when he reached it. He was left with no options.
"What is your task?" He spoke the words right into her ear softly still gently tracing the angry marks on her beautiful skin.
Karen slammed her eyelids down not wanting to see the world around her. So much shame and guilt pressed down on her shoulders till she gave out and collapsed forward into his arms. Arms that rapidly moved the millisecond she did, catching her with finesse, and directing her to rest her head in the crook of his neck. The side of his face lowered onto her cheek, caging her in and blocking out the rising sun.
"Shhh… You can tell me. I can get you out of this mess." He spoke so reassuringly that she almost believed him.
"Stop it… Please." She pleaded with him vocally but buried herself in the comfort of his arms. Soaking in the only affectionate form of touch she would be getting from here on out, "Shoot me." Her mouth shook against his skin as she told him once more to end her life. Her resolve only crumbled when his larger, comforting hand drifted up her body to cup her head, bringing it to be inches from him.
"Make me." He teased and taunted in Russian. Anton needed to hear what he could recognize as himself. That he was not in danger or cuddled up to the woman labeled as rat and working toward her freedom.
"Get her to answer your statement. Focus. I need to know. NOW." Anton's voice sounded clearer in the earpiece and they both stared into each other's eyes.
Karen hesitated for a second, then threw her cares out the window. Enough damage had been wrought on everyone that what was one more thing to add to the heaping shitload that kept building. She brushed her lips against his in a ghost of a kiss, pulled back to hold his gaze, "I am to infiltrate the Bratva, get close to Niko, and hurt him."
"WHAT!"
"What?" Aleksei shook his head to her weaponized words, somehow letting her kiss fade out in his mind with what she had stated. He shuffled back from her and sat down heavily. There was no way she was doing what was tasked of her, right? It was a death sentence when she got caught, and death waited for her if she didn't follow through by the ones who marked her.
"I'm not asking Aleksei. Kill me. Prevent the fall from power Niko is starting to do. Stop me from doing more harm to him. I know plenty of ways to tear him apart. We all know Высочество (Vysochestvo) is his largest and easiest weakness to expose. Do you need motivation now?" Karen spoke with an aloof voice, but her eyes were telling Aleksei a whole other story. He knew more than the others. Could figure out a way to get this all to work out in the end.
"Yes get that information!" Anton nearly screamed at Aleksei in his earpiece.
"Since you are being so generous without me having to lift a finger to work the answers from you, go on now." Aleksei picked up his pistol and laid it over his lap, finger prominently resting over the trigger. Dread formed sweat all over his body. She had been around meetings, new alignments, hell she even came along the current mission just to fuck with Niko. In more than one way apparently.
"Where are your manners now?" Karen lifted an eyebrow and picked up the gauze roll. Her cut did need tending to before she lost too much blood.
"What is your vile plan, please?" Aleksei raised his pistol and readied himself to fire a lone bullet, putting an end to her suffering.
"To have Kate leave Niko. In whatever way I deem as separated."
aaaaaa
Anton had buried his face in his crossed arms over the roof of the rental car. He forced himself to listen to every single word that came over the radio waves. His heart hit the bottom of his stomach when his fellow captain stated he could get her out of some kind of mess. What mess he didn't know. The movement of Ivo and Sergei as they shifted with uncertainty only added to his anxiety.
She was Bratva. What was happening? He plopped his chin over his forearm and let out another heavy sigh. Sergei's short pacing around the vehicle provided a norm to cling to. Something he knew would continue for a time. A loud crackle then pop drew his ire higher with Aleksei. He shouldn't be interacting with her at all. Not till they got confirmation from Niko that she truly was in their ranks.
"What is your vile plan, please?" Anton snorted, 'Finally. Get this shit over with already.' He couldn't imagine what was stopping Aleksei from just killing her on the spot. She had basically threatened Kate and was actively trying to break their Pakhan. Her life was forfeited. In the Bratva or not- she was the enemy.
The jiggling of the doorknob had him signaling to his team to hide their reaction and not upset Pakhan. They would be professional and closed off. Indifferent to the world around them. Ready to follow orders at the snap of Niko's fingers.
"To have Kate leave Niko. In whatever way I deem as separated."
'What the fuck! Kill her Aleksei! Now!' Anton's entire body felt a cold shiver brush against him, and it was plenty stuffy outside as the sun made its slow trek above them.
They all snapped to attention when Niko opened the door to the motel room.
"I wish to leave for the bar to meet Johnny early and establish a perimeter and kill box. Where is Aleksei?" Niko's faded and blank eyes looked over his crew and scowled at not seeing the one in charge of retrieving his plane. Plus his men were slightly pale and sweating under his stare.
"Well?" Niko's eyes slanted and he crossed his arms, dropping his suitcase before him.
Ivo went into action and picked up his boss' luggage and hurriedly shoved it in the backseat of the rental. He would do his best to not have that empty stare locked on to him.
"Aleksei is still clearing our perimeter to be able to leave safely. He should be back any second now." Sergei spoke up when Anton looked like he was seconds away from passing out. Even he was having a difficult time with what he heard over the comms.
"Then tell him to report back and getting going-"
A muffled scream ripped through the still morning air, before a louder gunshot rang out. Birds squawked and flew away at being disturbed. All ambient noises ceased with the firing of a gun.
The team rushed over toward Niko, weapons raised and searching for the gunman. They would protect Niko from all angles. It was possible it could be a threat from a rival gang or even Trevor himself. It had sounded like it came from the direction Aleksei had Karen spilling her secrets. A lone figure emerged from the dying tree line, and they immediately lowered their weapons at the sight of Aleksei.
Aleksei shuffled forward toward the rental car reaching the driver side before he spotted Niko and jumped upright, "Mission Critical. We are behind schedule. Sergei, Ivo- Let's go." He jerked the driver side door open and waited on his crew to settle themselves in the vehicle. Guarded and emotionless eyes glanced between everyone as they had yet to move at the command. He could see the small signs of fear, worry, and concern.
Anton studied the blood smeared across one of Aleksei's cheeks, as well as the front of his vest, and thicker splotches on his hands. Normally Aleksei came away from his kills unscathed and unusually clean for such a grueling job. 'Something must have gone wrong, and he needed to defend himself before delivering the final blow…'
Sergei nudged Ivo's shoulder as he rounded the car to drop down into the front passenger seat, frozen expression in place. They were beyond okay with sitting in the car to avoid the unnerving glare coming from Pakhan. Car doors clammed shut as soon as their bottoms hit the faux leather seats. Sergei matched the look Ivo was sporting through the rearview mirror- Something major took place when they left their boss alone with Karen.
It was going to be a very long drive to the airfield with the unknown seriousness that clung to them all like a wet blanket.
"What is he talking about?" Niko tightened his crossed arms and watched as everyone loaded into the car to carry out his orders. The sight of blood on Aleksei momentarily worried him, but his inner dialog scowled at such a thought. If Aleksei killed Karen or someone else- so be it. He trusted him to continue to be his Охотник (Okhotnik, hunter). There were a few other people that bounced around on his kill list that Aleksei could help take care of.
Niko's eyes narrowed at Aleksei when he saluted him, matched his eye level and nodded once sharply, then lowered into the car. It lowly hummed to life with the twist of the key and crunched the gravel under the tires as the vehicle moved to the main street to get going. The confidence built only for a second as he noticed Anton typing away on his cellphone and ignoring his question.
"Did I hear correctly, Mission critical?" Niko grumbled the words in Russian and turned his body to face his second. He didn't like to wait or have answers elude him for a period of time. Which is probably what led to his impatience when it came to heated topics or people from his past. There was also a twitch growing in his shoulders. His men looked like a puppy with its tail between its legs. 'What has them so off-center…?'
'Warning. Critical status.
Pakhan K.
Pakhan has a side piece.
We are fucked.'
Anton hesitated to send the message. The debate to tell Georgi or not twisted his stomach so much so that he physically felt ill. Sweat kept forming along his hairline and back. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this scared to send a text message, of all things. Something inside alerted him to the impatience of a fuming Niko. He glanced up from his text and felt the blood leave his face at the murderous glare, "Forgive me. An update from Georgi distracted me for a moment." 'This is not going to go as planned… We are on option Я (ja) at this point…'
"The update then?" Niko's annoyance was burning what was left of the shortest fuse in existence to next to nothing. His eyes glanced to the rapidly shrinking car in the distance that was the rest of the team. Aleksei would keep Sergei and Ivo in place, so the concern and stress he could read off everyone was not centered on the mission at hand. His assumption that only Anton and possibly Aleksei knew what had taken place on the bed caused that annoyance to tick up another level.
Were his men making bets or lame guesses as to what he and Karen were doing in the unit alone? Just what was so distracting back at the compound that it took all of Anton's focus to reply to?
'There will be forced one on one training with me if they had rather unsavory things to say about me, their Pakhan…'
His title in bold letters caught his attention and he turned slightly to see that his vest, rifle, second pistol with a shoulder holster were leaning against the outside wall of the motel. Niko scoffed at the sight. There was no way in hell he would be wearing all that when he met Trevor. He would show his disinterest and casual nature to lead Trevor into thinking he believed him to be of no threat.
Even with the slowing bleeding from his ruined stiches.
The blood stains on his arms and hands.
He would display his injuries and bloodied clothes as a reminder that things could go south quicky… If he was denied of his requests.
Which with how tightly wound he was wouldn't be hard to just remove his pistol from his waistband and shoot the dude cleanly between the eyes. At this rate that thought held more and more permanence over the plan to get him to partner up. His eyebrow twitched when he pictured his kill knocked over at his feet on the ground, blood pooling in all directions, the thick inhale of death that followed each kill- had him bending over to grab the vest to see what all he had been kitted out with.
His hands stilled when the picture kept playing on and he spotted recognizable flats, the hems of worn-down jeans soaking in the blood and aftermath. Trained eyes used to seeing such gruesome sights traveled up shapely toned legs trapped within blood-stained jeans to the beads of blood that rolled down in a mismatched pattern.
Mild concern and fear worked hard to get him looking up faster and to quit appreciating the view and figure out why blood was freely falling down to the ground.
Dainty hands held firm just above the bellybutton where red was clawing out and capturing the lime green sweater and brightly colored shirt like a virus. A hand shook over the stomach and lifted away as if it was being inspected. Blood stained the palm and creases of thin feminine fingers, a red thick, wet band encircled around her ring finger perfectly before trailing down the backside of the hand and wrist.
His heart squeezed in his ribcage as he darted his eyes up to her face.
Green blue eyes widened as they continued to stare at all the blood, not believing it was hers. Her legs shook horribly beneath her, and she slammed down to her knees, hunching over in an attempt to keep everything inside and not let any more precious blood escape.
Her beautiful eyes rose to meet his with an unanswered question of why.
Why did you shoot me?
His killer lurched forward to see the damage for himself. Kate went deadweight and lulled into his arms that caught her from falling over to rest next to his fresh kill. Cold eyes followed his hand as he gently removed hers from the bloodied clothing, saturated completely- A single bullet wound to the stomach greeted his eyes.
A shot of confusion pierced his lungs, and he looked back to her face in alarm when he heard a sputter.
Fading light searched out his own…
Why did you shoot me, моја љубав (moja ljubav)? Leaked between coated lips that once graced his own.
A chilling realization filled his being- The bullet had traveled through his kill and hit his Моја лепа љубав (moja lepa ljubav).
Why did- How could he?
The final exhale brushed against his cheek, and he instantly snapped himself free from his inner nightmares. The ones he never spoke of or brought up. Those were his to endure and continually break himself down. His hand gripped the neck opening on the vest. Was his mind trying to tell himself something? Or was it his soul that was still weeping over his betrayal against her.
'Cut it out! Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!'
Niko yanked the vest up and worked it over his head to land on his tattered dress shirt. He'd wear it on the way to the meet point- then it was going to sit on the floor under his chair. He didn't care what his captains urged.
But what would Kate think of this meaningless risk?
His eyes shut and he used a thumb and pointer finger to rub at the eyelids, building pressure to pinch the bridge of his nose. He needed to close her off from himself till he was safely on the plane and headed back to her waiting arms and smile. The one she reserved for him… Which now was probably dull and filled with so many tragic emotions.
'We lost our child… Our bright and peaceful future…'
Somehow the vest felt like a comforting hug instead of a burdening weight pressing down on his body.
A gentle, loving half smile floated across his features as he imagined Kate's arms flying up to wrap around his neck, body slamming him in the process, just to hold him again and listen to his heartbeat.
'… Kate… Please still be asleep…'
'I will return to you a different man… I hope you will welcome me as you have every other time.'
Niko forced the mask back down to stay in place at the thought of her trying to destroy his killer side. He needed to be ruthless and unforgiving. Cruel to the point of exuding power by simply looking at someone. Fear was a powerful weapon, and he knew how to wield it. Indifference went along with it and caused most people to distance themselves from him.
'But not Kate… She stripped you of your barriers…'
He shifted his rifle to his side and secured it in place. They had wasted too much time. Anger and irritation bloomed to life once more as Anton seemed completely immune to the storm headed his way if he didn't answer his damn question immediately!
At his recoil at finally looking up at him, Niko simply lifted his eyebrow in a threatening manner.
"Uhhh… Excuse me Pakhan. The cleanup crew has arrived to reset the main living room and scrub the bloodstains off the walls and floors. They will also take Vanya to the Undertaker's. He will be ready for burial… At the time you request." Anton dropped his eyes back to the unsent message he was working on to send to Georgi, as well as avoid the unrelenting glare that was completely focused on him. Niko's true second will need a major heads-up as to who Niko had become on their trip out west.
'As he is not the same Niko that left Liberty City…'
But his main concern was what kept his fingers frozen from hitting send… He swallowed thickly at Niko's clearing of his throat.
"When we return home after I deal with Trevor, and Kate wakes, we will host his funeral. Make arraignments to have an area cleaned and prepped at the compound. He will be given the highest honor we can give him before lowering his casket in the grave." Niko let some of the tension leave his shoulder blades. He did promise to make sure Vanya was taken care of correctly- He had given the greatest sacrifice in forfeiting the blood to Kate. A small sliver tried to pry its way free from the cage Niko put everything in, the sight of her own blood pooling on the floor to mix with his intended kill, had that tucked away place crying out. He mentally threw it to the side. He would mend things later.
'I will be home soon Лепа (Lepa)… Just rest and recover, and I will be there when you wake.'
Anton hit send on accident.
The queasiness in his stomach took over and held him hostage...
Hopefully Georgi would get the message and understand how messed up everything was about to be. Shit had definitely hit the fan and was splattered over all of them...
He startled when Niko began walking off toward the street and in the direction of what could be considered 'downtown' to the desert settlement. Anton pocketed his cell phone and hurried his steps to walk alongside his boss- Eyes and ears on high alert. Rifle poised to eliminate everything that dared to harm his Pakhan. He would let his inner turmoil have time when they were done with the mission and headed home all in one piece.
"Keep your guard up капитан (Kapitan, captain). I will need you to cover the back entrances to the local bar. Johnny will meet us there and make a scene to attract Trevor's wrath. A good fight sounds wonderful right about now." Niko didn't bother to look to his side at his captain, his own assessment of the abandoned buildings set an uneasiness to huddle in his chest. He knew Anton would heed his word and follow through. Be diligent in his role... But was his loyalty going to wane as time went on and he didn't address the awkward situation he had put Anton in?
Niko rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck at the thought of a good fist fight. 'Bar brawl more like it.'
"As you have asked it, It shall be done." Anton thumped his fist to his heart with their salute and resumed hold of his assault rifle. If he even notices something of a foul nature he would put a bullet through this Trevor Phillips' head. No questions asked. He would protect his boss and get him home to hopefully snap his weird demeanor away. It was bone chilling to stand within his presence and it was getting unbearably hot with the rising sun.
"Thank you for your loyalty and protection of Kate. I will never forget that… She will never forget it either. If there is anything I can do to help out with the planning of Vanya's funeral let me know." Niko let genuine, fleeting affection crack his façade for a moment to let Anton know that while he may be harboring this fearful monster, he was still the peaceful and levelheaded leader beneath it all-.
For the time being anyway.
Anton simply nodded at his request and kept scanning the horizon. It was a welcomed sign that Niko was not completely lost to them. But simply hiding in the meantime to recover and heal. He could understand that. He would stick with that semi positive thought when it came to his boss and try to ignore the writhing feelings that jumbled his insides.
"And you saw nothing. It was a delusional hallucination created between sleep and being lucid…
And should that vision be real.
Know it will never form again."
Niko spoke the words from a place of solitude and comfort. The words might have been more directed at himself, but he could see Anton needed the crime to be addressed,
"That is all it was. Nothing more and nothing less. It will remain a blip within our memories."
"понял (ponyal)." Anton carefully thumped his fist over his heart and banished the sight of Niko cheating on Kate to the unexplored part of his mind to fade away. He considered it dropped and done…
'Lord grant me the strength to hide this from my маяк света (mayak sveta). Protect her and shield her forever and ever. Amen.'
The silence carried on as they approached the bar with a sign barely hanging above the awning. Johnny was casually relaxing on his bike outside the front door to the establishment. If one could really call it that. Like every other building, the wood was faded and warped. The entire place looked like a ghost town and held its own warning to passerby's. This was not a safe place to reside or visit.
"I do believe I will abstain from copious inhaling of alcohol this time around, да (da, yes)?" Niko dryly said as he took a quick glance to his left to his temporary second in command.
The surprised laughter caught in Anton's throat and came out more like a strangled cough. He was completely unprepared for the sense of humor to show before entering an unstable situation. One that could lead to fighting and death. The swing and range of moods coming from his boss was going to be impossible to follow now. Would their built-up signs to one another even still apply?
"You all 'bout ready to get this shit over with?" Johnny spoke up with his gruff voice and stretched his back, doing his best not to flinch at the unamused face of Niko, "Knowin' how this asshole works, he will roll in here at his usual time- Drunk o'clock." Johnny let the air rush out his nose as he flung his leg over the bike to get off and greet his partner with the proper protocol.
"I could care less if he is drunk, high, or just insane. He is my target. He is my kill should it come to it. Your men ready?" Niko shook Johnny's hand and casually took in his surroundings- where good cover rested for a gunfight, escape routes that would keep them free and clear, the random decent looking red truck parked sloppily a few buildings down could be a decent getaway vehicle.
"Yep. Got my finest ready to kill on command!" Johnny nodded his head and gestured to the swing doors of the bar. He got itchy the longer they stayed out in the open. He just couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
"Thank you. Anton, guard the back entrance. Keep any and all people from coming or going. They will be forced to use the front doors. Lock them within range. Good hunting." Niko jerked his head to the entrance to get Anton moving. It was time to get this 'meet' going. One he wasn't looking forward to, but the prospect of getting to fist fight or shoot someone sounded delicious.
"As you have asked it, it shall be done Pakhan." Anton saluted his boss and dashed into the desert bar to check people for weapons or hiding places. He would ensure Niko had the best chance at succeeding.
"Only one?" Johnny grunted as he was signaled to enter next. It was bizarre to him that Niko didn't have more firepower or support present. He figured all the people at the motel would be with the head of the Petrovic Bratva. 'It would be a mistake to brush off Trevor… Do they not realize how insane the dude is?'
"He is all I need. Have your men on the lookout. Have a few trusted gunmen take defensive positions in the bar. Time to… Enjoy ourselves while we wait." Niko smirked devilishly as he trailed behind Johnny. His nerves settled and warmed the muscles needed to fight or shoot. He was getting almost giddy with finally getting his true mission started since landing in LS.
"Clear. Moving to position alpha. Position beta will be upon arrival." Anton spoke cooly in Russian to his boss before disappearing into the back hallway that led to the only other door to the building. He turned the deadbolt, not that it would do much to keep the door shut. A solid kick or body slam would have the hinges flying off and giving way.
"Stay sharp and follow my lead. You will know what to do." Niko returned to Anton in Russian over his shoulder as he dragged a filthy looking chair out from a decent sized table. He would face the door and wait for his kill to enter unaware of the danger lurking in the bar, "Come. Sit, Top Brass of The Lost. We will have a round to our soon to be success." He waved his hand at the bartender who looked utterly high out of his mind and oblivious to what was about to go down, yet at his nonverbal order he shuffled around to get them drinks.
Johnny dropped down at Niko's side and leaned on the table keeping his weapons within reach, "Now or never amirite?" He avoided looking to the now prone and relaxing head boss who had removed the heavy bulletproof vest with a thump to the dusty floorboards; discarded rifle and handgun with a relative distance in order to hurriedly start shooting. It all screamed that he didn't care and appeared like he was annoyed with having to work when his girl was back home.
Niko rolled his head to give Johnny a knowing side smirk. Fluidly he lifted his hand, palm open waiting for something, "You got a smoke on you?"
Johnny couldn't stop the stuttering sputter that emerged from him. He had never seen Niko indulge in any mind-altering substances before a job. So what in the world was he doing bumming a cigarette from him?! At the curl of Niko's fingers in the gimme motion, he began patting over his jacket and pants pocket to locate his nearly empty box and flip lighter.
His hand landed on the paper box and with shaking hands he removed one perfectly cylindrical cigarette. It gently rolled to nestle in the middle of Niko's palm when he dropped it to start searching for the lighter. He missed Niko tucking it over his ear that was caked in drying blood. The cool metal met his fingertips in his front pants pocket, and once more he handed off the object without questioning it...
At least on the outside. Inside he was past confounded and significantly anxious. Was he going to be left to defend them all? Did they have zero clue of the storm that was descending to destroy this humble bar? Niko sure didn't look like he was prepped for a fight or shootout.
Niko coyly spun the lighter between his thumb and middle finger, snapping it open on a circuit or two, igniting the flame just to instantly close it as the metal twirled effortlessly between the junction of the fingers that kept it in place. His breathing steadied to a more neutral rate. When his shirt got caught on a splinter from the chair he shrugged it free, not letting anything else occupy his hands.
Johnny did a sweeping search of the room- his men were spread out and in the correct position to box Trevor in, the bartender swayed as he lifted a nicer looking glass jar and started to overpour their shots, he briefly caught the edge of Anton's sleeve, giving him some relief that he didn't need to watch his back- only to land back on the put together killer next to him.
Bloodied, stained, and long-gone past repair dress shirt opened and swathed loose over a chiseled chest, blood smears distracted from the hairless pecks, bruises and bite marks littered a strong neck and smooth collarbone, a rather prominent blood bruise covered from the edge of his resting jaw to fall below a crusted over ear sporting a now tainted cigarette, torn thread limply clung to the reopened wound between matted hair.
He looked a mess to most- but to those who knew better, he was a lethal nuclear warhead primed to launch a poisonous fallout.
The countdown narrowing down to completion…
Three… Two…
Unsympathetic, heartless, starving for something no one could quench eyes locked on the crumbling door and with ease turned to study him- bore right though him-
With one look he was shot back to looking up at his father who was seconds away from whipping him with a thin belt. The emotionless eyes zoned in on the shattered platter scattered on the floor. Unimaginable disappointment evident with the clenched jaw, vein pulsing precipitously-
Simply to rejoin the present. Johnny bowed his head with upmost respect.
'I do not want to see what his wrath is possible of…'
It was just so weird how different Niko looked from last night to now. It got his mind spinning with wild thoughts till the shouting of a mad man reached his ears from outside. Instantly his hand shot out to his pistol resting on the table.
Niko paused in his fidget cleanser and effortlessly crossed the steady arm in front of Johnny telling him to sit back and not arm himself.
Two shots of a brown liquid were dropped before them, sloshing the top liquor to the cracked table, as the bartender returned to his mindless stare behind the bar top, ignorant to the shouting or guns dispersed around the stuffy bar.
"Cheers Johnny, to our guaranteed prosperous future." Niko lethargically grabbed the small shot glass and held it up for Johnny to clink his glass against his. His eyes sharply trained to the door detecting every faint movement due to the wind or settling of the building. Muscles prepping to jump up and unload into the bane of his current existence.
"Uh right. Cheers." Johnny reluctantly bumped his glass on Niko's and downed the entire thing, shaking his head at the familiar burn and confidence that surged to the surface. Niko had this under wraps. He let out a pleased huff and settled down in the chair to mirror Niko's stance.
What could possibly go wrong with Niko at his side?
Niko curled his lip up before slamming down the shot. His fingers brushed the glass away from him and out of range. Everything was at the ready as the sparks burnt the last of his reserves.
The smoke billowed outwards when the flame died.
Voraciously Niko sucked in the smog and let it consume him. Everything labeled distraction or attachment fell away into the nothingness.
Nothing would stand in his way.
Nothing was going to hold him back.
Not rivals.
Not alliances.
Not the IAA.
Not his own men.
Not even…
Kate.
The shouting became clearer, and Niko draped one arm on the back of his chair and shifted to be closer to Johnny like they were best friends out having a drink. He shrugged at Johnny's shocked and questioning glance. With the hand that held the lighter, Niko removed the red tarnished cigarette and rested it languidly between his roughened and slightly bruised lips.
This was the plan.
And it started now.
"What the fuck! How many times do I have to tell you shitheads that this IS MY BAR!" The door was knocked inward with an agitated groan that turned into a partial battle yell. A wild and unhinged rage sailed in waves to coat the entire space. Matching eyes sunk into a leering, jeering criminal face rapidly jumped from place to place till they landed Johnny with an outsider.
That rage only built and shook the entire body of the person pointing an accusatory finger at the head of the strongest criminal underground mafia in the country and abroad.
"Who the fuck are YOU?!" Trevor staggered his way into the bar toward the still intact table and paused at the sight of someone clearly from not around his parts. The clothes, the absolute wreck he presented to the world, the pricey diamond encrusted watch with a matching gaudy looking ring- it all labeled this intruder as not welcomed.
The bartender watched the interaction for only a second before scurrying to the back exit.
"Stay right there Keith, you dumbass meth head!" Yelled the only other standing person within the rundown building, "Gonna need a drink once I'm done with these fuckers." The tone took on an airy and light cadence, a complete opposite of the aggressive brash voice from before.
Blankly Keith walked back to his spot behind the rough wood bar, pulled a glass tumbler from a lower shelf, and went about making a drink for his daily patron.
"Take a seat Trevor, we have much to discuss." Niko falsely, warmly greeted Trevor. His hand lightly waved to the lone seat across from him that rested on the back of his chair, not moving from the relaxed position.
The clink and igniting flame from the lighter filled the now rambunctious, charged silence. Niko puffed on the cigarette to get it burning and took a long patient drag from it. He competently closed the zippo lighter and held it out to Johnny, who took it, more like snatched it, to tuck it away from sight.
Niko's fingers cradled the lit cig as he took another inhale, lowering it to dangle in his grasp between Johnny and him, flicking it to remove the ashes.
"No way! Fuck you-"
Niko lifted his hand that held the cigarette, pointed his index upwards, and all The Lost members jumped to attention, guns training on Trevor. Johnny quickly rose to his feet knocking over his chair in the process to point his automatic pistol at the one person he desperately wanted gone.
Safety switches and mechanisms noisily clicked off to not burden firing the weapon.
"As I was saying:
Take.
A.
Seat…
Угождать (ugozhdat', Please)"
Anton marched out from the back hallway on Niko's disguised command, assault rifle elevated and tucked securely into his shooting shoulder. His steps were deathly silent as he stalked to stand directly behind his boss, kill shot locked and ready.
"Мне его убить? (Mne yego ubit'?)"
Niko lowered his raised arm and slowly took another extensive drag from the bloodied remaining cig, twisting his hand ever so slightly to let the dim light reflect off his ring that titled him Pakhan. He swatted the smoke away as he exhaled,
"не беспокой себя (ne bespokoy sebya, Don't bother yourself.)" Niko shook his digits on the other hand and dismissed his second from murdering the seething target before him. At his aloof order, Anton only shifted to Niko's blind spot, removing the last possible opening to hurt his boss.
Niko let some of his rage crack the surface as he glared at the soiled and dirty looking demented man. Ringed hand deftly lowering to rest on the table, again flicking the ash away. Niko did a once over of Trevor and scoffed. Did he have no self-respect? Or pride?
His shirt was stained so badly Niko couldn't tell what the original color was, or if it had ever been washed. The ruddy looking jeans matched the filth, but he could spot the outline of a large hacking knife tucked away. The blade made some of the faded blood splatter make sense.
The shoes had pink tiny blobs stretching up from the soles to greet the worn-down leather of his boot. Niko had a tiny internal pause as he tried to decipher what that substance was in random spots but let the thought go. It mattered not.
The putrid smell of fresh blood, gunpowder, exhaust, and death reeked in dangerous tendrils that filled the space with its odor. Assaulting his nose and pulling memories of torture he committed under Ray. The screams and pleas; The spray of blood mixed with particles of organs; The revolting praise given to him after it was all said and done…
Ray's twofaced commendation for taking a life in a slow and hellish manner. Prolonging the suffering to the resigned absolute end.
No relief or aid given.
No signs of mercy.
The 'cut here' tattoo caught his attention and rattled the furthest shadows in his soul. The vile memories he refused to acknowledge. Tucked deep down in the depths of near forgetting…
'Please…! I-
I didn't cheat!
I can't steal…
Please don't!
They are all I have left-
To my growing family…!'
The bloodcurdling scream that pierced through the killer and ravaged the man he once was.
The pat to his shoulder in glorifying honor shuddered his defenses…
"Good job my boy! Next!"
A matching urge to shudder once more under the focus of the understanding man before him. One who carried just as many dark and horrific memories of the atrocious acts they committed.
Niko tilted his head faintly, lifting his eyebrow with unspoken surging respect; Trevor matched the tilt, the flash of recognition soared over his hardened features.
They both stared into the mirror image of a life spent serving and surviving in whatever way it presented itself. So much red drenched their past life. And the desperate hope of moving on and forgetting clawed viciously in a never-ending storm- to be swept away in the end.
That hope would never be granted to souls like theirs.
Trevor nodded his head a few times and pursed his lips- agreeing to the forbidden truth…
They were one in the same.
aaaaaa
The chills I got typing this all out. Phew!
Now to clarify- Do I realistically think Niko and Trevor are mirrored images of each other? Possibly.
I believe there was a time in Niko's life pre-Liberty City where he was reckless, careless, and easily set off. Killing came second nature and just a part of his everyday life. Of course it was under the direction of Ray Bulgarin. But I do think he didn't care at all to the crimes he committed or the vile things he did to other people… Till he was just done and wanted out of his cemented life. Enter his LC self. Resigned to kill once more while building a softer and more stable exit to the criminal world. Via Kate, Roman, and Mallorie.
(Of course cannon does kill off Kate so maybe the ability to quit leaves him? And the depression and anger just gets the better of him and he submits to being a lifelong criminal? No one will know till Rockstar and Michael Hollick reach terms to bring Niko back. Fingers crossed this will be a small tidbit in GTA VI.)
Trevor, however, has yet to reach this realization. And maybe he never will. But after the 'big one' the opportunity to vanish and settle down was there staring him in the face. Where Niko would've accepted the out, Trevor might've said fuck it and kept on going. Which some of the Online Missions do allude to. But the ability to be soft and calm are within Trevor. He just needs to want it bad enough to exit the life of crime… And killing. Lol
Buuuttttt I absolutely love the unhinged and unexpected reactions and phrases Trevor uses. Just amazing work on the writers and voice actor on portraying such a complex interesting character. I love you Steven Ogg!
*I will admit I love Michael more…*